U.S. border agents have made more seizures of eggs and egg-based products than of fentanyl since the beginning of this year, official statistics show.
According to data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officials made 134 interceptions of the deadly drug in January and February 2025, compared to 197 the previous year.
But that was nothing compared to the 3,254 egg-related seizures during the same period — more than twice as many as the same two months in 2024.
The figures, first reported by Canadian business news website The Logic, only track the number of “seizure events” logged by CBP for each type of contraband, rather than the actual amount. The latter comparison is not possible because CBP only releases the weight of drugs it has seized, not the weight of agricultural products.
Nevertheless, it illustrates the growing scale of egg smuggling as prices soared as high as $8.05 per dozen on average due to avian flu outbreaks and, allegedly, price gouging by the highly concentrated poultry industry.
It also undermines the rationale for Donald Trump’s trade war against Mexico and Canada, which he claims is necessary to stop fentanyl flooding into the U.S. but which opponents say will raise the price of everyday products. (Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reported that less than 1 percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada.)
A CBP spokesperson told Newsweek that there had been a 36 percent year on year increase in “eggs being detained” at ports of entry during the five months ending with February.
Prices have since dropped from their peak in late February, apparently because inflation-weary consumers are unwilling to shell out at such high tags.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, wholesale prices for a dozen eggs now average $4.15, down $2.70 from the week before, the USDA’s Egg Markets Overview from Friday found.
As egg prices shot up, demand for them “sharply” declined over the past week, the USDA said, also noting that there had been “no significant outbreaks” of the virus in March.
“As shell eggs are becoming more available, the sense of urgency to cover supply needs has eased and many marketers are finding prices for spot market offerings are adjusting rapidly downward in their favor,” the report said.
It is still unclear if these reduced prices will stick around through Easter and Passover, during both of which eggs feature prominently. Easter is on April 20 and Passover begins on April 12 and ends on April 20.
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